CARACAS, Mar 30 (Reuters) – The Chinese government this week sent supplies and specialists to Venezuela and included an expert in traditional medicine as part of the aid program to deal with the coronavirus, said the executive vice president, who confirmed six new patients in the country. South American, which totals 135 reported cases.

Venezuela, in an economic crisis and with a weak hospital system, registers three deaths from COVID-19, in the midst of a two-week quarantine.

The government did not offer further details of the treatments to be delivered by the specialist sent from China.

“In the People’s Republic of China, this medicine had a high impact to cure COVID-19 patients (…) Holistic medicine, the medicine that integrates all areas of knowledge, of health,” said Delcy Rodríguez, in a statement by the state television channel.

The plane carried some 22 tons of humanitarian aid, which includes around 500,000 test kits and biological protection suits, arrived early Monday morning together with a commission of Chinese medical specialists.

“Tomorrow we will have a work schedule with this delegation of specialists, to feed on their experience, their knowledge and apply them in our country,” he added.

According to a note from the Foreign Ministry, part of the shipment includes material purchased by the Government of Venezuela.

Venezuelan doctors warn that the government hospital and outpatient network to deal with the disease caused by the coronavirus is not in a position to care for patients, due to a lack of basic supplies such as soap and water.